Our Team

Dr. José Alberto Benítez Andrades

Universidad de Leon

Areas of Interest

Artificial Intelligence in Health - Natural Language Processing - Knowledge Graphs - Social Network Analysis - Science Evaluation - Internationalization of Higher Education

Dr. José Alberto Benítez Andrades

Universidad de Leon

Bio

José Alberto Benítez-Andrades is an Associate Professor in Computer Engineering at the University of León (Spain), where he also serves as Vice-Rector for Internationalization and Global Engagement. He holds a PhD in Production Engineering and Computing and has a strong background in Artificial Intelligence, with two master's degrees in related fields. His research focuses on the intersection of AI, health, and education, including clinical text mining, predictive modeling, and digital ecosystems for global collaboration. He has authored over 55 scientific articles in JCR-indexed journals, led national and international research projects, and regularly serves as a reviewer for high-impact journals. Interested in working on

I am particularly interested in contributing to interdisciplinary research initiatives that explore how Artificial Intelligence can support healthcare systems, improve mental health prediction, and enhance decision-making in higher education. I am also strongly committed to fostering international cooperation in research and innovation, especially through the development of joint educational programs, capacity-building activities, and knowledge transfer strategies.

Email:jbena@unileon.es

Dr. Nuran Bayram Arlı

Bursa Uludag University

Areas of Interest

Data Analysis - Structural Equation Modeling - Machine Learning

Dr. Nuran Bayram Arlı

Bursa Uludag University

Bio

In 1994, she graduated from Uludağ University, Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, Department of Econometrics. In 2000, She received the title of Doctor, in 2002 Assistant Professor, in 2006 Associate Professor and in 2011 Professor. In 2004, she was a visiting professor at the Department of Statistics at the University of California (UCLA). In 2005, with a scholarship from the Turkish Academy of Sciences (TÜBA), she served as a visiting professor at the Department of Statistics at Stockholm University. In 2010, she was a visiting professor at RMIT and James Cook Universities in Australia. She received many awards for her academic studies. Between 2013-2015, she served as Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences. Prof. Dr. Nuran BAYRAM ARLI is the Head of the Department of Econometrics and a faculty member of the Department of Statistics at Uludağ University Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences. Interested in working on

Machine Learning, Data Mining, Linear and Non-Linear Multivariate Statistical Analysis, Categorical Data Analysis, Nonparametric Statistics, Structural Equation Modeling, Data Literacy, Survey Techniques, Mental Health, Depression, Anxiety, Stress, Quality of Life, Life Satisfaction, Integration, Poverty, Social Exclusion, Violence, Violence Against Women, Emotional Abuse, Crime and Mood, Immigrations, Workplace Behaviors, Employments, Sustainability.

Email:nuranb@uludag.edu.tr

Dr. Aylİn Poroy Arsoy

Bursa Uludag University

Areas of Interest

Social Sciences and Humanities - Accounting - Accounting and Control - Management of Enterprises

Dr. Aylİn Poroy Arsoy

Bursa Uludag University

Bio

Prof. Aylin Poroy Arsoy is a full professor of accounting and finance at Bursa Uludağ University. Her research interests include financial reporting, corporate transparency, sustainability reporting, integrated reporting, accounting education, and auditing. She has coordinated and participated in numerous national and EU-funded projects (e.g., Horizon Europe, Erasmus+), focusing on innovative business models, academic hospitality, and financial control systems. She has published widely in international journals and contributed to several book chapters. Prof. Poroy Arsoy is open to collaborative research, especially on interdisciplinary projects that intersect accounting, governance, and sustainability in both academic and practical contexts.

Interested in working on

Social Sciences and Humanities, Accounting, Accounting and Control, Management of Enterprises

Email:aporoy@uludag.edu.tr

Dr. Alp Aytaç

Bursa Uludag University

Areas of Interest

Auditing - Internal Control - Sustainability - Firm Performance - Business Model

Dr. Alp Aytaç

Bursa Uludag University

Bio

Dr. Aytaç has been working as an Assistant Professor at Bursa Uludag University since 2022. He started the academia at 2013 as a Research Assistant. He completed his undergraduate, master’s degree and PhD at the Bursa Uludag University as well. He has published several articles on various journals. He mainly publishes articles related with auditing, sustainability and internal control. He has been giving lectures in Turkish and English. He also an active researcher in European Union funded projects. Apart from his academic career, he is also board member of the Association of Accounting and Finance Academicians (AAFA (MUFAD)). In addition, he is an Assistant editor of the Journal of Accounting and Finance.

Interested in working on

Auditing, Internal Control System, Firm Performance, Sustainability, Accounting Education, Business Model.

Email:alpaytac@uludag.edu.tr

Dr. Mİne Aydemİr Dev

Bursa Uludag University

Areas of Interest

Applied Statistics - Behavioral Decision Making Models - Latent Variable Modeling - Hybrid Choice Model

Dr. Mİne Aydemİr Dev

Bursa Uludag University

Bio

Mine Aydemir-Dev earned her degree in Econometrics from Bursa Uludağ University, Türkiye, where she currently teaches courses in quantitative analysis and related fields. She has contributed to six research projects, enhancing her expertise in empirical research and interdisciplinary collaboration. As a visiting researcher at the University of Innsbruck, she broadened her international academic experience. Her work has been published in both national and international indexed journals.

Interested in working on

Advanced statistical methods, latent variable analysis, decision-making processes, emotional and personality dynamics, integrated modeling, and data mining to develop data-driven insights and innovative research outcomes.

Email:mineaydemir@uludag.edu.tr

Dr. Yasemİn Ertan

Bursa Uludag University

Areas of Interest

Independent Audit - Financial Statement Analysis - Sustainability

Dr. Yasemİn Ertan

Bursa Uludag University

Bio

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yasemin Ertan is a faculty member at Bursa Uludağ University, Faculty of Business Administration, Department of Accounting and Finance. With numerous scientific publications in the fields of financial analysis, auditing, and financial performance, Dr. Ertan has extensive experience in national and international projects. She has served as a researcher in European Union projects focusing on topics such as sustainability, innovative business models, digitalization, environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles, digitalization in higher education, and the integration of sustainable development goals into university curricula.

Interested in working on

Independent audit, Financial Statement Analysis, Sustainability.

Email:yasertan@uludag.edu.tr

Dr. Aroa Costa Feito

Universidad de Leon

Areas of Interest

Consumer Neuroscience - Tourism Marketing - Conservation Psychology

Dr. Aroa Costa Feito

Universidad de Leon

Bio

Dr. Aroa Costa Feito is a researcher at the University of León (Spain), specializing in consumer neuroscience, with a particular focus on the tourism industry and behavioural change for biodiversity conservation. Her research employs advanced neurophysiological tools, including eye-tracking, electroencephalography (EEG), and galvanic skin response (GSR), to analyse consumer behavior and its impact on decision-making processes. Throughout her professional career, she has held leadership positions in marketing, communication, and design departments within the tourism sector, working for hotel chains such as Hyatt Inclusive Collection and the tour operator TUI. Currently, she is actively involved in several European research projects, focusing on the practical application of scientific knowledge to generate a meaningful impact. She is an active member of the Society for Conservation Biology (Conservation Marketing group), the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), and the Spanish Marketing Association (AEMARK), as well as member of the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA), aiming to promote behavioural change for biodiversity conservation.

Interested in working on

Consumer neuroscience and neuromarketing, Tourism marketing, Conservation psychology and behavioral change for conservation.

Email:a.costafeito@unileon.es

Dr. Sevda Gürsakal

Bursa Uludag University

Areas of Interest

Multivariate Statistical Techniques - Machine Learning - Applied Statistics - Financial Statistics

Dr. Sevda Gürsakal

Bursa Uludag University

Bio

Is a professor in the Department of Econometrics at the Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences at Bursa Uludağ University. Was awarded the title of associate professor in the field of Quantitative Decision Methods in 2014 and became a professor in 2020. Since 2023, has been serving as the vice dean of the faculty. Primary research areas include quantitative data analysis, multivariate statistical analysis techniques, machine learning techniques, and financial statistics. Focuses on the application of advanced statistical analysis in data-driven decision-making processes.Has published numerous scientific articles in these fields.

Interested in working on

Multivariate Statistical Techniques, Machine Learning, Applied statistics, Financial Statistics.

Email:sdalgic@uludag.edu.tr

Dr. Pádraig Gallagher

Atlantic Technological University

Areas of Interest

Employability and Skills - SME Innovation and Sustainability - Business Model Innovation - Higher Education Policy Implementation

Dr. Pádraig Gallagher

Atlantic Technological University

Bio

Dr. Pádraig Gallagher is the Head of Research and Innovation at Atlantic Technological University. An accountant by profession, he holds a Bachelor of Business Studies, an MBA, and a PhD in Educational Research. He is also a qualified Business Counsellor. With over 20 years of experience at the intersection of academia, industry, and knowledge transfer, Dr. Gallagher has a proven track record in securing and managing European research funding projects. His expertise spans programmes such as Horizon Europe, Interreg, and Erasmus+. In addition to his collaboration on the REMODEL project, Dr. Gallagher is currently involved in several major initiatives. These include: T-shore (Erasmus+ Centre of Vocational Excellence) – Establishing a Centre of Excellence for Offshore Wind Energy in Western Europe. VERNE (Horizon Europe) – A project focused on transforming European tourism through sustainable and circular business models.

Interested in working on

His research interests focus on employability and skills development, SME innovation and sustainability, business model innovation and higher edcuation policy implementation. He is particularly interested in interdisciplinary work across the social sciences and humanities in these areas.

Email:padraig.gallagher@atu.ie

Dr. Tuba Bora Kılınçarslan

Bursa Uludag University

Areas of Interest

Accounting - Auditing - Sustainability

Dr. Tuba Bora Kılınçarslan

Bursa Uludag University

Bio

She graduated from the department of business administration of Kocaeli University in 2009 and department of political science and public administration (double major program) in 2010. She started to work as a research assistant of accounting at Bursa Uludag University in 2012. She received her master degree in 2013 and PhD degree in accounting in 2020. She is assistant professor of accounting and tax department at Bursa Uludag University. She became a certified public accountant in 2016, independent auditor in 2023 and sustainability auditor in 2024. Her field of interest are accounting, auditing and sustainability. She has a lot of scientific articles, book chapters and conference papers.

Interested in working on

Accounting, auditing and sustainability.

Email:tubabora@uludag.edu.tr

Dr. Sofía Blanco Moreno

Universidad de Leon

Areas of Interest

Tourism Marketing - Digital Behavior - Artificial Intelligence Applications in Tourism - Social Media Analytics - Sustainable Tourism - Consumer Experience - Data Driven Decision Making in Hospitality and Tourism

Dr. Sofía Blanco Moreno

Universidad de Leon

Bio

Sofía Blanco-Moreno is Doctor in Marketing, Tourism and Artificial Intelligence. She is a Tourism expert with specialization in Digital Marketing and technologies such as Web Scraping, Machine Learning and Deep Learning, applied in Tourism and Hospitality. She is also an assistant professor at the University of León (Spain), and she has worked as a Digital Marketing expert on international companies such as Meliá Hotels. She has received several research awards, such as Ph.D. Thesis Excellence Award of ifitt Association, the 29th Mariano Rodríguez Awards for Young Researchers, the best communication at the AIRSI and AIM 2023 conferences, the I UAM-ASSECO Business Case Award 2022 and "product test" within the University-Business Knowledge Transfer Plan for the platform Photo Data Tour Analytics.

Interested in working on

Collaborative research projects that explore the intersection of tourism, artificial intelligence, and digital marketing; development of innovative methodologies using machine learning and web scraping; sustainability-oriented tourist behavior analysis through social media data; and co-authoring publications or grant proposals related to smart tourism and digital transformation in hospitality.

Email:sblanm@unileon.es

Dr. Conor McTiernan

Atlantic Technological University

Areas of Interest

Pro-environmental Tourism - Trust and Knowledge Management in Tourism - Tourism Policy Development

Dr. Conor McTiernan

Atlantic Technological University

Bio

Dr Conor McTiernan (PhD) is a tourism and hospitality management lecturer in the Department of Tourism and Sport in Atlantic Technological University, Donegal. His teaching focuses on sustainable tourism and hospitality management and tourism policy development. He is knowledgeable on tourism network formation and facilitating knowledge transfer within network structures. Conor is involved in EU projects such as work package co- leader on REMODEL, funded by Horizon Europe Widera Access https://projectremodel.eu/, a capacity building project with partners in Bursa Uludag University, Türkiye and Universidad de Leon, Spain. His also the co-leader of ATU’s Tourism cluster (WP3) in EU Green https://eugreenalliance.eu/, a pan-European project enabling peripheral and regionally located universities to become more sustainable. Conor is a member the Irish Hospitality Institute, the First International Network of Trust and is the Chair of the Tourism committee for the Laurentic Forum.

Interested in working on

Interested on research projects addressing sustainable tourism policy development, tourism networks, innovation, knowledge management and trust in tourism SMTE’s. An emerging theme of interest is the use of business modelling to mitigate against crisis and disruptions in the tourism and hospitality sector.

Email:conor.mctiernan@atu.ie

Dr. Onur Öztürk

Bursa Uludag University

Areas of Interest

Service Failures and Recoveries - Brand Extension Strategies - AI in Tourism

Dr. Onur Öztürk

Bursa Uludag University

Bio

Dr. Onur Ozturk graduated from the Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences at Ege University in 2009. He completed his master's degree in the Department of Business Administration at Uludağ University Institute of Social Sciences in 2015, and his Ph.D. in the Department of Business Administration at Bursa Uludağ University Institute of Social Sciences in 2020. Currently, he continues to work as Associate Professor and holds a Ph.D. at the Department of Business Administration, Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, Bursa Uludağ University. His research areas include service marketing, tourism, and social media.

Interested in working on

Tourism, Digital Marketing, Services Marketing, Social Media.

Email:onurozturk@uludag.edu.tr

Dr. Ciarán Ó’Hannracháin

Atlantic Technological University

Areas of Interest

Global Education - Business Innovation

Dr. Ciarán Ó’Hannracháin

Atlantic Technological University

Bio

Ciarán Ó’Hannracháin has worked in tertiary education, both public and private, for over 30 years in the Irish, UK, US, and Swiss education systems, predominantly working in the field of Hospitality and Tourism Management. He has held several academic management roles in Switzerland and Ireland for the past 20 years and has been a member of a range of national advisory panels in both Hospitality & Tourism and Higher Education. He holds an undergraduate degree from Trinity College Dublin, a master’s degree from both University College Dublin and Waterford Institute of Technology, and a doctoral degree from University of Sheffield. He was Project Manager in Letterkenny Institute of Technology for merger of GMIT. IT Sligo and LYIT to become the Atlantic Technological University in April 2022 with responsibility for Academic Strategy and Planning, Student Services, Internationalisation and External Engagement. He currently works as Strategic Projects Manager for the ATU Faculty of Business. He is Chair of the Operational Board of the World Technology University Network, facilitating collaboration between academics across the globe.

Interested in working on

His research interests include both Education: HE Policy and Interationalisation of HE, and Business: Regional Clusters, Business Model Innovation, Talent Management and Staff Training and Development.

Email:ciaran.ohannrachain@atu.ie

Dr. Mehlİka Saraç

Bursa Uludag University

Areas of Interest

Alternative Organizations - Circular Economy - Social Entrepreneurship - Sustainable Business Models - Business Innovation

Dr. Mehlİka Saraç

Bursa Uludag University

Bio

Dr. Mehlika Saraç is an Associate Professor of Management at the Department of Business Administration, Bursa Uludağ University (BUU). She holds a PhD and MSc in Management and Organizational Sciences from BUU. She is teaching on Organizational behavior, Social entrepreneurship, sustainable business models, and business innovation. She actively contributes to EU-funded projects focusing on business innovation, sustainable transformation and policy recommendations for SMEs, especially within the hospitality sector.

Interested in working on

Alternative Organizations, Circular Economy, Social Entrepreneurship, Sustainable Business Models and Business Innovation.

Email:msarac@uludag.edu.tr

Dr. Carmen Rodríguez-Santos

Universidad de Leon

Areas of Interest

Brand Management - Consumer Insights - Engaging Communication - Fashion & Luxury Marketing - High End Tourism Marketing

Dr. Carmen Rodríguez-Santos

Universidad de Leon

Bio

Carmen Rodríguez-Santos is a Professor at the University of León (Spain), Adjunct Professor at the University of Vaasa (Finland), and Research Fellow at Leeds Beckett University (UK). She is visiting professor at IAE (France), the University of Trento (Italy), and the University of Kassel (Germany). She also teaches in renowned private business schools and regularly participates as a keynote speaker in international conferences. She is the founder and coordinator of the European Master in Business Studies (EMBS), a joint master's programme accredited in Spain, Germany, France, and Italy, awarded EFMD accreditation in 2017 and 2022. She is a member of the Advisory Board of the Universities of Katowice (Poland) and Bursa (Turkey). Carmen has coordinated and participated in numerous international research and innovation projects funded by the European Commission. Her leadership includes the project Consumer Behaviour Research Network (COBEREN), involving 38 researchers across 30 countries. Her work bridges academia and industry, with consultancy experience in brand management, B2C communication, and consumer insights. She has published 26 peer-reviewed articles, authored 6 books, and contributed 19 book chapters. Her research is particularly focused on branding, consumer behaviour, digital marketing, and sustainable consumption.

Interested in working on

Designing consumer insight strategies to enhance sustainable choices in fashion, food, and lifestyle sectors, Multidisciplinary approaches to brand engagement and trust-building across cultures, Co-creation methodologies in marketing research, Applying neuromarketing tools to decode decision-making processes and emotional responses, Translating academic knowledge into actionable solutions for private sector brand and marketing challenges, Developing co-creation and experiential learning frameworks within international higher education.

Email:Carmen.santos@unileon.es

Dr. Çağatan Taşkın

Bursa Uludag University

Areas of Interest

Marketing - Destination Branding - Business Model Innovation

Dr. Çağatan Taşkın

Bursa Uludag University

Bio

Çağatan Taşkın is working as a Marketing Professor at Bursa Uludağ University (BUU), Türkiye. He has a bachelor’s degree on Industrial Engineering, a Master of Science degree on Production Management and Marketing, and PhD degree on Business Administration.

Interested in working on

Marketing, Destination Branding and Business Model Innovation.

Email:ctaskin@uludag.edu.tr

Dr. Elİf Yücel

Bursa Uludag University

Areas of Interest

Sustainability - Financial Analysis - Forensic Accounting

Dr. Elİf Yücel

Bursa Uludag University

Bio

Elif Yücel is an Associate Professor in the Department of Accounting and Finance at the Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, Bursa Uludağ University. With expertise in accounting, financial analysis, and corporate sustainability, Yücel focuses her academic work on sustainability reporting, innovation management, and forensic accounting. She has actively participated as a researcher in several European Union projects. Additionally, she has several studies examining the effects of innovation on financial performance. Her recent endeavors emphasize the integration of digitalization and sustainable development strategies into education and research, fostering stronger connections between academia and industry.

Interested in working on

Sustainability Reporting, Integrated Reporting, Sustainability Literacy, Financial Literacy, Innovation, Financial Analaysis and Financial Performance Measurement, Forensic Accouting and Auditing

Email:emugal@uludag.edu.tr

Dr. İbrahİm Ethem Akyıldız

Bursa Uludag University

Areas of Interest

Labour Migration & Skilled Mobilty - Brain Drain - Human Capital - Innovation Dynamics - Technological Innovation & Productivity

Dr. İbrahİm Ethem Akyıldız

Bursa Uludag University

Bio

Asst. Prof. Dr. İbrahim Ethem Akyıldız is a faculty member at Bursa Uludağ University, Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, Department of Economics (Türkiye). He earned his B.A. in Economics from Çukurova University and completed his M.A. and Ph.D. in Economics at Bursa Uludağ University. His research focuses on international economics, labour migration, and brain drain, with growing work in international finance, exchange-rate risk, and innovation/technological innovation. He has presented at national and international conferences and published studies on migration dynamics and the socio-economic impacts of skilled labour mobility.

Interested in working on

Labour migration and skilled mobility, Brain drain, human capital, and innovation dynamics, Technological innovation and productivity.

Email:ethemakyildiz@uludag.edu.tr

Dr. Burak Meydancı

Bursa Uludag University

Areas of Interest

Intellectual Property Law - Commercial Law - Copyright Law

Dr. Burak Meydancı

Bursa Uludag University

Bio

Dr. Burak Meydancı is a legal scholar and legal consultant specialising in the intersection of Intellectual Property (IP) law and emerging technologies. His research focuses on artificial intelligence, copyright, patent law, commercial law, and sustainability. He has participated as a researcher in numerous EU-funded projects. Beyond his primary expertise in technology law, he maintains a strong interest in human behaviour and motivation, which informs his approach to legal strategy and academic mentorship. Professor Meydancı is open to interdisciplinary collaborations involving legal theory, governance, and the socio-technical impacts of AI.

Interested in working on

Intellectual Property Law, Commercial Law, Copyright Law.

Email:bmeydanci@uludag.edu.tr

PhD. Candidate lecturer İsmaİl Çakmak

Bursa Uludag University

Areas of Interest

Marketing - Destination Tourism - Sports Marketing

PhD. Candidate lecturer İsmaİl Çakmak

Bursa Uludag University

Bio

Lecturer İsmail Çakmak teaches business administration and marketing at Bursa Uludağ University. His research areas include marketing, destination tourism, sports marketing, and consumer behavior. He has worked as a researcher in the EU-funded Remodel and Verne projects. Currently pursuing his doctorate, İsmail Çakmak aims to enhance his academic experience by participating in national and international projects.

Interested in working on

Marketing, Destination Tourism, Sports Marketing.

Email:ismailcakmak@uludag.edu.tr

PHD. CANDIDATE KAMURAN ÜSTÜN

Bursa Uludag University

Areas of Interest

Enterprise Risk Management - Internal Audit - Financial Management - Strategic Management

PHD. CANDIDATE KAMURAN ÜSTÜN

Bursa Uludag University

Bio

Kamuran Üstün is a doctoral candidate in the Public Finance Department at Bursa Uludağ University and is currently working on her thesis. She serves as the Head of the Internal Audit Unit at BUSKİ and works as an internal auditor. Kamuran specializes in enterprise risk management and strategic management and has published research in these areas. She has contributed as a researcher to various EU projects such as Equbusiness, Sustainability, and Remodel. Kamuran's research approach combines both academic theory and practical application, drawing on her professional experience and academic work.

Interested in working on

Enterprise Risk Management, Internal Audit, Financial Management, Strategic Management.

Email:kamuranustun@gmail.com

Strengthening the Research Capacity of Turkey in Innovative Business Models for the Hospitality Sector

OUR TEAM

Strengthening the Research Capacity of Turkey in Innovative
Business Models for the Hospitality Sector